Lord Shiva Marriage with Goddess Parvati Tanjore Painting l Traditional Colors with 24 Karat Gold l With Frame

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Under the elaborately decorated niche of a palace hall, framed by the marble pillars gently snuggled by sprawling floral vines are enthroned the great god and goddess- Mahadeva and Mahadevi, Shiva-Parvati. Sumptuous adornments and a sense of regalia are two of the most striking features of a Tanjore painting, which are displayed in this Shiva-Parvati painting stunningly. On an imposing throne with two masnad (cushions) and a majestically placed Kirtimukha (face of glory), the aureole is seated Shiva and Parvati, the very picture of royalty. Shiva is wreathed with gold in his elongated crown, ornaments, attire, and ayudha (weapons), all the aspects highlighted by the layering of gold. He is in the Lalitasana (posture of royal ease), carrying Meenakshi Amman (an epithet for Maa Parvati in South India) in his lap lovingly. The universal mother Parvati is the ideal wife and counterpart of Mahadeva in this Tanjore painting, dressed in an auspicious red sari and jewelry, holding a lotus in her hand to offer to her beloved Lord Shiva.

The grand throne of Shiva and Parvati is placed on the back of Shiva’s trusted guard and mount, Nandi, the divine bull. He is covered in various intricate ornaments and a silken mat, and he lifts his hind leg in the air as he turns his head to lick the feet of his Lord devoutly. The image of Nandi in this Shiva-Parvati painting is worth ample appreciation due to its dynamic positioning where in the sharpness of his bending neck; one can almost hear the bells on his neck jingle and see his ithyphallic yet calm form as a symbol of his potency that he derives from Shiva’s cosmic virility, a connotation which is astutely captured by the artist of this Shiva-Parvati Tanjore art. The meditative slightly downward-looking eyes of Shiva that give him a tranquil appearance and the vibrant gaze of Maa Parvati create a splendid contrast in which one can relish the difference and oneness of Shiva and Shakti.

The background of this regalia is of a muted grey shade to let the procession of Shiva and Parvati take the central stage. In the two horizontal columns that enshrine the celestial couple is placed different members of Shiva’s retinue, each one unique and awesome in their virtues. On the topmost sections of the columns are Ganesha and Subramanyam (Kartikeya) in their deific forms, witnessing the aura of their mother and father. Below them are Nandikeshwara (left) and Bhringi (right) along with other Shiva Bhaktas (devotees) whose presence is marked by the powerful red glow that surrounds them. Two men and two women dressed in golden fineries flank the divine couple holding the chowri (fly whisk) and the royal emblem with the signs of the Sun and Moon- both ancient Hindu symbols of sovereignty. A bowl of fruits is placed on the ornate gold-sheathed platform which in the center holds a Shiva Lingam, the universally known motif of the union of Shiva-Shakti. The brilliant Tanjore painting fills the heart with a soothing harmony and divine bliss which results from the Darshana (seeing) of the Mata and Pita (mother and father) of the cosmos together. The skilled use of 24 karat gold in ornamentation and the fine wooden frame make this Shiva and Parvati Tanjore painting enhance its aesthetic effect which you can welcome in your home, with the united splendor of Shiva and Shakti.

Gilded Elegance: Unraveling the Artistry of Tanjore Paintings

Tanjore painting is a traditional form of art in the South Indian style and was started by the inhabitants of a small town known as Thanjavur of Tamil Nadu. This gives it another name called “Thanjavur painting”. This painting draws its figures, designs, and inspiration from the time when Vedic culture was prevalent in India. Certain remarkable features of a Tanjore painting distinguish it from other paintings. Some of these are pure gold or gold foil coating on gesso work, the use of rich and vivid colors, and the inlay of cut-glass or semi-precious and precious stones. The subjects of most of the Tanjore paintings are Hindu Gods, Goddesses, and saints. The main devotional figure is portrayed in the central portion of the painting and is usually surrounded by various secondary figures.

The process of making a Tanjore painting

The classic Tanjore paintings are done on wooden planks and hence are also referred to as Palagai Padam in South India (Palagai = Wooden plank, Padam = Picture). Creating a masterpiece is never an easy task but the skilled artists of Thanjavur have been following the tradition of making timeless Tanjore paintings for decades.

The making process begins with preparing the wooden board or canvas. The size of the board depends upon the choice of the patron. The next step is to paste cardboard over the wooden board and then a cotton fabric is stretched and pasted upon it using Arabic gum.

Now that the cloth is attached to the wooden panel, a rough sketch of the motifs and figure is drawn onto the fabric. After this, a paste of chalk powder and water-soluble adhesive is evenly applied over the base and smoothed.

Thereafter, the outlines which were made or traced using a stencil are now ready to be beautified and decked with various add-ons. The usual materials for decoration are cut-glass, pearls, semi-precious and precious gems, gold leaf, and laces. 22 or 18 Karat Gold leaves and gems of varied hues are especially inlaid in areas like pillars, arches, walls, thrones, and dresses. In the final step, the rest of the painting is filled with rich and striking colors such as shades of red, blue, and green. Formerly, the artists used natural colors like vegetable and mineral dyes instead of chemical paints. The entire painting is then cleaned and refined to give a flawless finished look.

Since the making of a single piece of Tanjore painting requires a complex and elaborate process, the artists usually take at least one or two months to complete it. The use of pure gold foil and gems for beautification is a characteristic of an authentic Tanjore painting. Due to this, Tanjore paintings last for generations without getting tarnished and are much more expensive than general paintings. Though the art form has undergone various changes and technique modifications over the years, it continues to attract the hearts of art lovers.